Vetlife Pets

14/06/2026

🐴 Did you know?

Dental care isn’t just for dogs and cats; our equine friends need it too!

As Vetlife veterinarian Dr David Howes explains, regular dental check-ups are important for two main reasons: to assess tooth development and wear, and to ensure the sharp edges of the teeth (which are completely normal) don’t rub against the cheeks or tongue and cause discomfort. Issues caused by uneven wear can often be corrected or managed with routine care.

A routine dental procedure, now commonly performed using motorised tools, is straightforward and quick. Sedation is recommended (even for compliant horses) so a thorough examination right to the back of the mouth is possible. For most horses, an annual dental check is enough to keep everything in good shape.

🎥 In the video below, you’ll see sharp points being removed from the teeth of this horse. Thanks to regular dental care, this was a quick and easy process and now he’s all set for another year.

11/06/2026

🌟 Staff Shoutout 🌟

Meet Becky, our amazing senior nurse from the Central Otago team!

She just completed the Royal Canin - Pet Nutrition Advisory Programme. 🎓 With her newfound knowledge, she’s helping local doggy daycares and clients create tailored diet and wellbeing plans.

Thanks to her hard work (and an essay competition) Becky scored a full ride to the NZVA/NZVNA conference! 🐾

Need help with your pet's diet? Reach out to our Vetlife team!

Well done, Becky! We’re so proud of you! 🎉

09/06/2026

🐾✨ Hazel's dental glow-up! ✨🐾

🦷 Before → Tartar build-up
🦷 During → Full scale & polish under anaesthetic
🦷 After → Clean teeth & a fresh smile!

What’s involved?
We remove plaque and tartar (including under the gumline), take dental x-rays to check for anything hiding below the surface, polish the teeth, and assess overall oral health.

Why it matters:
Dental disease can cause pain, bad breath, and even impact organs if left untreated. Regular dental care keeps your pet healthy and comfortable

07/06/2026

Teddy, is brave 2-year-old Birman cat who recently used one of his 9 lives. Berman cats like him are known for their playful and affectionate nature.

Teddy went missing for two weeks and returned home starving with a limp. His owners were shocked when vet Amy suspected a broken leg, which was confirmed by X-ray.

The difficult decision was made to amputate, but Teddy was an amazing patient and adapted incredibly well to life on three legs!

Teddy is pictured here with vet Celeste, and then all smiles with his owner when being picked up to go home 🐾🏠

28/05/2026

Say Hello to Dylan! 👋 🐐

Dylan was in at our Temuka clinic recently for an x-ray. It's not every day that the Temuka Team have a pet goat in the clinic, and he was an instant hit with them!

The veterinary team, including Duncan, Meagan, and Amy, thoroughly checked him over and gave some instructions to take it easy.

Meanwhile, Dylan's brother Thomas missed him dearly and spent his entire day waiting by the gate for his return. Check out their adorable throwback photo together as little kids!

26/05/2026

A reminder that all Vetlife clinics will be closed on Monday 1st June for the public holiday. However, EMERGENCY VET SERVICES are available if needed by calling your local clinic:https://hubs.la/Q04hfC0k0

19/05/2026

Do you know what’s really in your pet's mouth…
It’s easy to overlook your pet’s dental health, but dental disease is one of the most common problems seen in cats and dogs.

Up to 70% of cats and 80% of dogs will show signs of dental disease by just 2 years of age.
That’s why it’s so important to start preventative care early and learn how to recognise symptoms from the day you bring your pet home.

Our teams are trained in stress‑free handling, so they can safely and calmly check inside your pet’s mouth and get a clear view of their teeth.

Healthy teeth mean a happier, healthier pet.
Book a dental check with your local Vetlife team today.

11/05/2026

***Please note: This post includes surgical dental images from Ernie’s procedure (before and after)***

When Ernie came in to see the team at Vetlife on Alabama (pictured with the wonderful Vet Katalin and nurse Frances), it wasn’t for his mouth at all, he was limping on his right hind leg. But during his health check, the vet discovered something much more serious: severe dental disease, even though Ernie was still eating normally. The only small change at home was that he had started suckling.

Ernie was given a Grade 5 dental score, and once under anaesthetic we found just how much he’d been coping with:

🦷10 teeth needed to be extracted

🦷16 teeth were already missing

🦷He now has 4 teeth remaining

Despite all of this, Ernie had been carrying on with life as if nothing was wrong, a powerful example of how pets can quietly endure discomfort.

After his procedure, Ernie did return with an infection at his upper canine extraction site, but with an extended course of antibiotics, it cleared up beautifully. He’s now doing really well.

Ernie’s story is a great reminder that dental disease often goes unnoticed, even when it’s severe.

11/05/2026

If you’re able to open your home to an animal in need this winter, fostering through SPCA is a wonderful way to make a real difference. It’s a cause we’re proud to get behind. 💙

With thousands of animals coming into our care in the lead up to winter, we need more foster homes! 🙏

Fostering is perfect for those who want to make a difference for vulnerable animals, but can’t make the long-term commitment of adopting. When you foster, everything you need is provided by SPCA, so there’s no cost to you.

Some animals need to spend time in foster to recover from injuries or surgery, while others may just need time to come out of their shells, socialise, or experience a loving home for the first time ❤️

In order to meet demand and ensure we can free up space for more incoming animals in our Centres, we need an additional 250 foster homes for dogs and puppies, as well as small and farm animals too.

If you can provide a short-term loving home to an animal in need this winter, learn more and sign up via our website: www.spca.nz/fosterwinter2026

05/05/2026

Throughout May and June, we’re shining a spotlight on all things dental across our Vetlife clinics. Dental disease is one of the most common issues we see and because pets are so good at hiding discomfort, regular checks are incredibly important.

To support dental hygiene, we are pleased to offer you some fantastic offers! These are all designed to support healthy teeth and gums at home and help keep your pet smiling.

If you have any questions about your pet’s dental health, or you’re unsure whether they might need a check‑up, your local Vetlife clinic is here to help. Give your nearest team a call, we’re always happy to chat and help you keep your pet’s mouth healthy.

Veterinary advice is recommended for all animal health treatments. *One free C.E.T. 401 Home Dental Kit per scale and polish or extraction; Offer available until the 30th June 2026 subject to availability and while stocks last; Not available in conjunction with any other offers. Vetlife reserves the right to change terms
and conditions without notice. Further terms and conditions apply; see https://hubs.la/Q04fyVvh0.